MFT3 router table top

[Wood_Junkie]

Wood_junkie
you beat me to it

We're proud to announce the all new Festop MDF Router Top for the Festool MFT/3
Posted by Robbie on 09/14/09

3Several of us here at Wood Werks own a Festool MFT/3. I'm one of them, and I use mine every time I walk into my shop.

While the MFT/3 is a spectacular work surface, both for cutting and clamping, we couldn't help but see more potential in the tiny work horse.

We agreed that the MFT/3 would make an EXCELLENT router table, if only it had a thicker MDF top, a Bench Dog ProFence and Dual Track miter slot. But we didn't stop there. We made sure to make it easy to remove the fence and continue using the MFT/3 as it was intended with our saw track and clamps.

Today we can finally offer this conversion kit to all of our Festool customers. For a limited time, we're offering it at a low introductory price of only $279! That includes your replacement MDF top with the Bench Dog Dual Track installed, a Bench Dog ProFence and a phenolic router table insert.

I "moved" this from another thread, since this is big news (IMHO).

I have a few questions:
- Any chance there's a MFT1080 version / or it could be an option?  There's a lotta 1080 users.  [big grin]
- Who should we contact / how to contact with questions about this Festop?

 

[Corwin]

Their website states that this table top retains the clamping ability.  Also states that the top is 1" thick.  Seems the only way that those two statements could be true is if all of those holes have a countersink/counterbore on the bottom side to allow for the clamps...

What's up?

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Their website states that this table top retains the clamping ability.  Also states that the top is 1" thick.  Seems the only way that those two statements could be true is if all of those holes have a countersink/counterbore on the bottom side to allow for the clamps...

What's up?

I think it means that the holes are still there.  The other MFT router tables that have been introduced and marketed did not have any of the holes.
So you are correct that the clamping *capacity* may be slightly diminished (by 1/4" or so?), but hte clamping *ability* is still there.

FYI, I don't have anything to do with Wood Werks, and only came across this from someone else's link.  I'm just excited about the prospect of using my MFT for router table work, without sacrificing the MFT's advantages.

 

[peter halle]

I think that Corwin is writing what I started to after I saw that statement but then stopped.

The head of the festool clamps that would attach to the guiderails, were designed to work with the .75 mdf top using 20 mm holes.  I think Corwin was trying to point out that they will not work on a thicker top unless a modification is made on the underside.

Peter

 

[Corwin]

Yup, Peter's got that right.  You cannot insert the Festool clamps through a 20mm hole if the top is greater than 3/4" -- unless you make some allowances...

Woodpecker's Pinnacle line of products included a replacement top for the 1080MFT that converted that table onto a router table too.  With Festool offering their CMS here this year, it seems curious that this new MFT/3 router top is being produced...  It looks nice, just seems curious to me.  Also I wonder if it includes bracing to support the underside -- without any, it might prove a problem over time.

 

[ForumMFG]

FYI,

This is old news.  This top came out a while ago.

check out this thread for detailed photos

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/festop-festool-router-table-by-woodwerks/

 

[peter halle]

Corwin,

I'm glad I was not imagining things.  Your comment about bracing underneath with a heavy router should cross any potential purchasers minds.  One other thing if people are considering this - with the standard top in the mft/3 you have 4 opportunities to have a new cutting area where the guiderail normally is used.  With the router table top shown - you have one.  You can't rotate 180 degrees and you can't flip to use the underside (I guess) because of how the router plate attaches to the top.

Regarding the timing of this introduction by the by the other company, it might not be bad timing.  We don't know when the CMS is coming.  We also don't know the cost.

Just some thoughts.

Peter

 

[PeterK]

Yep - need to know top thickness for clamping and the plate size. Can it use the "normal" plates like a Woodpecker or is it smaller like Bench Dog?
Interesting product. I might find it useful. Have a nice router table but frequently find a need for a second setup.

 

[PeterK]

Looked it up some more. The router opening is the Bench Dog size - smaller than the commonly used openings 9 1/4 by 11 3/4.

 

[AztecKing]

I just got off the phone with Wood Werks Supply asking them a question about the Festop 1" thick table they are making for the MFT/3 that is made for the Bench Dog router plate and comes with a fence and miter track. I was explaining to him that I downsized my shop and need to save room and if I could get rid of the router table and incorporate it into my MFT I'd do it. I have a Woodpeckers router table, Unilift and LS super system and I would like to be able to use these in my MFT 1080. He told me he has a MFT 1080 and may run a top for his in the 1" material and once he did all the programming in his CNC it wouldn't take much to do more of them and if I call him he would run me one and could even change the hole size so it would fit the Woodpecker plate size since it's bigger than the Bench Dog. He doesn't think there is a very big market for a 1" Festool top for the MFT 1080 that has a hole cut for the 9 1/4" x 11 3/4" Woodpecker router lift size.  He said the table is 1" thick and is rabbeted on the bottom edge so it doesn't stick up any higher than normal.  I told him I was thinking about cutting a hole in mine and he expressed concern about doing that without reinforcing the table so I assume the thicker table doesn't need it.  I don't know if the clamps will not work or not in the thicker top and didn't think about that or I would have asked him. 

Jeff

 

[Corwin]

Here's a couple links to threads on this board that discuss putting router tops in the MFTs...

Router Systems for MFT

MFT/Pinnacle Router Table

...  I told him I was thinking about cutting a hole in mine and he expressed concern about doing that without reinforcing the table so I assume the thicker table doesn't need it.  I don't know if the clamps will not work or not in the thicker top and didn't think about that or I would have asked him. 

I would think this to be a bad assumption.  Whatever direction you go with this, you really should brace underneath -- a sagging top (even a sagging plate) is a problem.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Yup, Peter's got that right.  You cannot insert the Festool clamps through a 20mm hole if the top is greater than 3/4" -- unless you make some allowances...

Very good point.  A little chamfer on the underside of the holes would probably allow the clamps to angle themselves in there.  I hope they factor(ed) that in!

Side question:  There's a lot of speculation and questions about the MFT tops sagging.  Cutting a big hole in it would only exacerbate MDF's penchant for sagging...  Has anyone added some reinforcing supports, i.e. angle iron or something along those lines?  If so, what was the attachment method?

 

[Corwin]

The MFT profiles have a T-track on the inner or inside face which can be used to attach some bracing.  Cannot say about the newer MFT/3s, since I don't have any of those.

Also, that Pinnacle top for the MFT came with bracing IIRC.  If you have the older style MFT, you might give Woodpeckers a call to check if they have any of the tops left.  Their number is 1-800-752-0725.  And, since these were sold exclusively through Woodcraft stores, you might also try them.  I know these were discounted once the newer MFT/3s came out and should be a little cheaper than this other brand's offering.

 

[Michael Kellough]

They to still be available...

$200

43-3/16" W x 28-3/16'' D

# Designed specifically to fit in the recessed area of a Festool Multi-Function Table (MFT/3), replacing the Perforated MDF Plate

# Constructed of a 1 thick MDF core sandwiched between high-pressure laminate

# Micro-Dot? surface has unique texture: a grid of small circular pockets that allows saw dust to collect and act as little ball bearings

# CNC machined with a 9-1/4" x 11-3/4" opening to fit most insert plates and router lifts

This fence made to go with it is another $170.

 

[kfitzsimons]

Hey Jeff Smith, Woodwerks Supply in Columbus is a great company to deal with. I was out there yesterday purchasing some mdo.  They've got a great selection of Festool and just about every other professional brand.  It's a great reasource and the guys there are top notch.
Kevin

 

[Corwin]

They to still be available...

43-3/16" W x 28-3/16'' D
# Designed specifically to fit in the recessed area of a Festool Multi-Function Table (MFT/3), replacing the Perforated MDF Plate
# Constructed of a 1 thick MDF core sandwiched between high-pressure laminate
# Micro-Dot? surface has unique texture: a grid of small circular pockets that allows saw dust to collect and act as little ball bearings
# CNC machined with a 9-1/4" x 11-3/4" opening to fit most insert plates and router lifts

Yes, but these are for the newer MFT/3s...  Jeff was looking for something that would fit his MFT1080. 

IIRC, the tops made for the MFT1080 also included threaded inserts at the corners for attachment (just like the MFT/3 tops).  In any event, this could be a great solution for those with limited space.  One could swap tops as needed somewhat quickly and easily.

 

[AztecKing]

Hey Jeff Smith, Woodwerks Supply in Columbus is a great company to deal with. I was out there yesterday purchasing some mdo.  They've got a great selection of Festool and just about every other professional brand.  It's a great reasource and the guys there are top notch.
Kevin

I can't remember the name of the guy I talked to on the phone but he was very helpful and I always like to do business with people who are committed to customer service. 

Corwin,  I may give them a call and see what they have available.  I've thought about just laying the Woodpeck table on top of the MFT and cutting a hole in my MFT where the router will go through. Then take that piece out and mount some hinges on it so it would swing out of the way when I needed the router and then swing it back in place when I'm done.  This way I could clamp the router table to the MFT swing the hatch open and drop the router plate and router in place and when I'm done pull it out unclamp the table and stand it up against a wall and close up the hatch and use the MFT.  I know that sounds like a mess but it would only take a couple of minutes to set up and take down and have the best of both worlds.  Sound crazy?

Jeff

 

[Corwin]

Corwin,  I may give them a call and see what they have available.  I've thought about just laying the Woodpeck table on top of the MFT and cutting a hole in my MFT where the router will go through. ...  Sound crazy?

Jeff

Yes, it does.  I'm pretty sure the Pinnacle top for the MFT came/comes with threaded inserts in the four corners to attach to the MFT frame.  I would suggest installing the same type inserts into the corners of your MFT's top so you could simply unscrew that top and replace with the router top (the new MFT/3 tops have these threaded inserts too).  That would be a much better idea in my mind -- but, that's just how I see it.

I am almost certain that the Pinnacle top also came/comes with some metal pieces for bracing.  But I don't know if they are supposed to be installed only to the top, or are long enough to be bolted to the side profiles.  With your hinged idea I guess you wouldn't be using these braces -- or maybe you would install these below your MFT's top.  Choices, choices, choices.

I hope that I have persuaded you to not cut out a big hole in your top and hinge the cutout to accept a separate router top.  But, whatever you decide to do, I do hope that you will post here about your convertible top.  And I hope you are able to find the Pinnacle top for your 1080.  Good luck!

 

[spikfot]

For my Incra LS router table I used 19mm MDF and braced it with 4 meters of aluminum t profile. Big table, no sag.

 

[PeterK]

I would only consider the router table version if I had multiple MFTs. I use my table primarily as a clamping station and if I cut out a big hole, I know that the missing clamp locations would be a real issue. As to swapping the top, just consider storage needs. Storing the extra top would be an issue in my small shop. If I manage to add-on to my shop this year, I will get an additional MFT and then will consider some version of a secondary router table.